Operator reaffirms full-year guidance as platform integration drives cash flow and margin expansion across high-growth markets
LONDON: Helios Towers plc reported robust unaudited results for the six months ending 30 June 2025, reinforcing its full-year guidance and underscoring the operational efficiency of its infrastructure-led business model.
The London-based telecoms tower operator marked its fifteenth anniversary with a strong financial performance, showcasing resilience across key metrics.
Group revenue rose 7 per cent year-on-year to US$418.3 million, driven by continued tenancy growth and long-term contracted revenues. Adjusted EBITDA increased 9 per cent to US$225.5 million, with the margin climbing one percentage point to 54 per cent, aided by margin-accretive tenancy expansions and reduced power costs. Free cash flow swung to a positive US$29.9 million, up US$39.7 million versus H1 2024.
Operational efficiency was evident in the Group’s 2 per cent increase in sites and a 7 per cent rise in total tenancies, lifting the tenancy ratio to 2.11x. Helios Towers reduced net debt by 2 per cent to US$1.72 billion, trimming net leverage to 3.8x. Return on invested capital expanded to 13.6 per cent, reflecting disciplined capital allocation and platform integration.
Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Tom Greenwood highlighted progress towards the Group’s ‘2.2x by 2026’ strategy, with strong cash flow inflection and balance sheet deleveraging paving the way for a new five-year plan to be unveiled at its Capital Markets Day on 6 November.
The Group reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, targeting up to 2,500 tenancy additions, Adjusted EBITDA of up to US$470 million, and free cash flow between US$40 million and US$60 million. Helios continues to benefit from CPI-linked contracts and high multinational mobile network operator concentration, with contracted revenues totalling US$5.3 billion and an average remaining term of 6.8 years.
On the ESG front, Helios maintained top-tier ratings across MSCI, FTSE4Good, CDP and EcoVadis, while advancing its sustainable strategy with 156 million people covered and 99.99 per cent power uptime.